003 (mar. 7) / video.

[dissenter]

[it's been over a month since qilby last showed his face in a personal post on the network, and since then the pile of books on his workspace have grown to obscene levels. either he's been spending all his food money on these things -- he certainly isn't looking any less gaunt than usual -- or someone's been seriously ignoring their due dates at the library…

due dates don't apply to kings, anyway. and that's the truth!

he smiles a tired smile.] Believe it or not, I think I'm beginning to exhaust Shibusen's library of its resources. A word to the wise -- the selection is smaller than it first appears, when the majority of books are restricted to the public.

[is that a subtle jab at the way things are run? probably not. he's still generally-cheery looking, after all.] I wonder what the policy on traveling outside the city is, when one's not accompanying their partner on a mission. It's dangerous out there, of course, but I'm curious about the rest of this world outside the city's walls. It's not every day that I-- [well, that'd be a lie] ... That most people get to see a new planet, and I'm sure I'm not the only un-partnered individual who's got an itch to explore. The libraries of the world await...

... Perhaps, when things calm down a bit. [you know, when you mighty warriors can afford to sit around and lounge by the pool all day.] In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions as to other ways of acquiring study material? A man needs to keep himself occupied.

[you have no idea.]

Comments

[dissenter]

[that's just another way of saying that he does mind qilby asking, isn't it? fair enough.]

You can, of course. However that's quite a risk to take for a few pieces of trivia, if you don't plan on using it.

[and there's the implication that qilby, for his part, does have plans for this information.]

[want_the_world]

I plan on using it. I'll share anything we find, if it's interesting.

[All right, fine. He intended to tell Qilby all along, he just had to be ornery about it for a bit. Can't make it too easy.]

I want to know if the other demon tools are extant. They could be able to do what BREW can't right now: get me home alive.

[dissenter]

[well well, does he have something interesting to tell you...

... later. perhaps after they've gone through with this venture, and after he's got the information he needs.]

A noble cause. [either he's joking at mello's expense, or he's just assumed that means "get everyone home alive."] Or they could end up being more trouble than they're worth.

[want_the_world]

I expect them to be trouble. More than they're worth... I'll have to see about that.

[It does mean 'get everyone home alive,' for values of 'everyone' that equal 'L, Near, and Mello.' He's still pissed off at himself for not finding a way to include Matt in that before he was sent home.]

Self-interest is the noblest of causes. We wouldn't have civilization without it.

[dissenter]

[a snort.] Fair enough. But as I fancy myself a somewhat more open individual, I'll be sure to show you the results of my work, should this venture bear fruit.

[and he very much hoped they would.] Our goals line up quite well, it seems.

[want_the_world]

You think you could reverse-engineer something like one of the Demon Tools, assuming we find enough information?

[It's an educated guess, one that Mello's wondered about since the first time they talked, and he learnt Qilby has experience with similar artifacts.]

[dissenter]

[it's not as if he needs to keep his voice down -- there's no one around to eavesdrop -- but his reply comes quietly all the same. perhaps he's just surprised mello's so keen.]

I don't wish to make any promises, but... Yes, that's what I'm hoping. I doubt I could achieve anything of their power here, as weakened as I am, but if it was even a fraction of that--

[he cuts himself off, clearing his throat.] I could help these people. Far more than I'm capable of doing right now.

[want_the_world]

[For his part, Mello has to deliberately tamp down his excitement. He knows the chances of success are small--so many variables in play--but his tendency has always been to expect things will work out the way he wants.]

Knowing more about how the existing ones work would help, too. If someone could reset BREW, and actually make a sufficiently specific wish, this would all be over.

[dissenter]

That would be nice... But I shudder to think about the sort of ramifications it'd have if the wish wasn't specific enough. Magic as I know it hates restrictions, hates being pushed in one direction. If there's even the tiniest loophole, it'll find it.

No, I believe the safest way to get everyone home lies in other methods. [the sound of shuffling paper -- seems he's had his notes out.] Hopefully we'll be able to figure out which methods those are, soon enough.

[want_the_world]

[Mello's sure BREW's the same way, and has devoted perhaps too much thought to how he'd word things if he got a chance to use it.]

Right, there's not much point in setting things up to be built with nails when it might turn out what we get is a screwdriver.

[Or worse yet, something so far off that it would end up being more like a fishbowl in that metaphor.]

[dissenter]

[a laugh.] Or, more likely than not, something that's not even half as familiar.

But a good tool should not be overly difficult to figure out. And even if it's not my magic, I refuse to believe it's something so esoteric that it'll be beyond my -- or anyone else's -- comprehension.

[he just hoped that he'd figure out whatever it was sooner rather than later, or else he'd go crazy or something.]

[want_the_world]

[Mello chuckles, too, mostly in appreciation of Qilby voicing something so much like his own thought. He knew this guy would be a good ally.]

I'm sure happening upon blueprints would be too much to hope for, but. There's got to be something useful hiding in there.

[dissenter]

[amicably] Something useful enough for the risk to be worth the reward, at least.

Are there any others you've spoken to about this? I know for a fact that we're not the only ones that take issue with these restrictions, after all.

[want_the_world]

A couple. One of them's gone, and the other was sent home and brought back recently.

Hence the adjustments to the plan. If she's still in, we have a ready-made distraction.

[dissenter]

Just another one of BREW's charming qualities, that... [with audible annoyance. ah well.]

I understand it's best to keep a group like this as small as possible, but-- should you require, I might know a few others up to the job.

[one more willing, but far less trustworthy than the other. he'll have to see.]

[want_the_world]

Oh? What are their qualifications?

[dissenter]

I believe one's some sort of thief, and I'll be speaking with them shortly.

The other... [he trails off.]

... The other is short and unnoticeable. [he finishes lamely.] Both seem to have some sort of stake in these tomes.

[want_the_world]

You're not talking about one of the frog things, are you?

[Not that Mello would absolutely refuse, if it--he?--was useful (and one had helped Rose get her intel from the very same place), but they're weird.]

[dissenter]

Oh, no, no-- [backpedaling!] He's just... Really, very short.

[then again qilby's practically a beanpole in a hat as wide as two of him, so he's got no business talking. there's a long pause, and then somewhat abashedly--] To be honest, I've no idea how I'm to contribute, even. I'm, aah-- I'm not used to this sort of thing. [with not a little annoyance] Not used to having to steal my knowledge, I mean.

[want_the_world]

[Mello... is used to stealing information.]

You've got a hell of a lot more experience with tools like BREW than I do. Something that looks like worthless scrap paper to me might be the thing that tells you exactly what you need to know.

[dissenter]

True enough. [a little drily.] I'll do my best to be inconspicuous.

[yeah, how hard could it be to spot a six-foot-something old beanpole in a hat twice as big as him?]

[want_the_world]

I'll find out if the other person's still in, and I'll get back to you soon.

sorry, hiatus is over now ;;

[dissenter]

[it's a nice feeling, knowing that wheels are turning. things were beginning to stagnate.]

I look forward to it, and-- thank you.